Apparatus for cleaning the sieves of starch-separators



(No Model.)

G. s. GRAVES. v APPARATUS FOR CLEANING THE SIEVES OF STARGH SEPARATORS No. 251,574.

Patented Dec. 27,1881.

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UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

GILBERT S. GRAVES, OF BUFFALO, NEW YORK.

APPARATUS FOR CLEANING THE SIEVES 0F ST ARCH-SEPARATORS.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 251,574, dated December 27, 1881.

Application filed August 1, 1881. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern Be it known that I, GILBERT S. GRAVES, of the city of Buffalo, in the county of Erie and State of New York, have invented new and useful Improvements in Apparatus for Cleaning the Sieves of Starch-Separators, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to an improved apparatus for cleaning the shaking-sieves, consisting of wooden frames covered with bolting-cloth, employed in starch-factories for the purpose of separating the starch from the bran. The meshes of the bolting-cloth fill up rapidly by reason of the gluten and other moist material adhering to the threads of silk, and the sieves have to be removed'from the machines about once in twelve hours, and are then thoroughly washed and sometimes brushed for the purpose of opening the meshes. This operation effects the purpose but imperfectly, so that in starch-factories the operation of the starch -separators is impaired a great part of the time by the partial closing of the meshes of the bolting-cloth, which causes a loss of starch by imperfect separation and necessitates the frequent renewal of the cloths'before the cloth is worn out. These frequent renewals of the bolting-cloth on the starch-separators cause a heavy and continuous outlay for repairs.

The object of my invention is to remedy this difficulty by providing means whereby the bolting-cloth can be effectually cleaned; and it consists in the herein-described apparatus for cleaning the bolting-cloth by a steam-jet projected through the meshes of the boltingcloth, as will be hereinafter more fully described.

The accompanying drawing represents a perspective view of my improved apparatus.

A represents the sieve, which is removed from the starch-separator or other machine in which it is employed, and which is placed upon a supporting-frame, B, which holds the sieve in an upright or slightly inclined position.

0 represents a chimney arranged over the frame B, and provided with a flaring mouth, 0, which collects the waste steam and conducts the same to the chimney, whereby it is conveyed out of the building.

D is a drip-pan arranged underneath the sieve for the purpose of collecting the condensation. It is provided with a waste-pipe, d, through which the moisture falling into the pan D is carried off.

E is a flexible steam-pipe connected with a steam-boiler and provided with a nozzle, 6, which is provided with a suitable stop-cock, the discharge opening of the nozzle being preferably about one-eighth of an inch in diameter.

- After the sieve A is placed upon the frame B a jet of steam is projected through the meshes of the bolting-cloth, the nozzle 6 being slowly passed along the entire surface of the sieve until all the impurities adhering thereto have been completely dissolved and detached. lhe steam jet-removes the impurities from the bolting-cloth fully and completely and without any wearing or abrading action, so that the strength and durability of the bolting-cloth are in no mannerimpaired by the operation of cleaning.

The steam after passing through the bolting-cloth escapes into the chimney 0, whereby it is conducted out of the building and prevented from coming in contact with the timbers and other parts of the building or machinery which could be injured by steam, and the detached impurities,together with the water of condensation, are collected in the pan D and drain oft through the pipe 01.

The steam-jet is applied to the sieve as soon as possible after its removal from the separating-machine and before the impurities have become hard and dry. By this means the bolting-cloth is freed from the adhering impurities much more completely and expeditiously than by the means heretofore employed, thereby increasing the separating capacity and efficiency of the separators, and the duration or life of a sieve is lengthened considerably, thereby reducing the cost of renewals of the boltingcloth materially.

It is obvious that my improved means may be employed for the cleaningof all sieves covered with bolting-cloth which are used in machines separating moist material, and which and waste-pipe (1, whereby the moisture is are liable to become clogged by similar ailhecollected and carried off, substantially as set sive impurities. forth.

I claim as my invention- GILBERT S. GRAVES. 5 The combination, with the sieve-supporting Witnesses:

frame B, of the chimney O 0, whereby the JNO. J. BONNER,

Waste steam is carried off and the drip-pan D EDW. J BRADY. 

